The Redistribution of Wealth – A Christian Perspective
We are living in times when more and more people are advocating Socialism in place of Capitalism. Capitalism is marked by private ownership of property as well as the private production and distribution of goods. Private ownership makes the individual the steward of what God has entrusted to him (Acts 4:34-5:4). Socialism involves government control of resources and goods leading man to dependence upon government rather than God. In time the government is not just a provider, but a controller of all things. We have had a great deal of Socialism introduced into our society, but now the redistribution of wealth from one American to another is being openly proposed without shame or inhibition. If wealth is redistributed by choice we call it charity. If wealth is redistributed by government it is little less than thievery. Is there a Christian position that should be held and advocated on such an issue? The answer is an unequivocal yes. The politics of Socialism and its accompanying view of economics are dangerous, because they reveal a misguided view of man and God. God designed man in his own image and likeness, to be accountable to God for his ways. God designed government to be man’s protector and the servant of the citizenry, so man could freely worship and serve God (Genesis 9:6). If man is forced into servitude to the government and its goals, he is not free to manage his own affairs as a servant of God. When government becomes the provider and controller of all things man becomes the servant of the state and loses his freedom. In a free market a person is free to succeed or fail. He can seek God for help and guidance. He will live with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, knowing that if he succeeds he can enjoy the fruit of his labors. In a socialistic system the government replaces God. Man loses his individual liberty, his personal right to control God what has given him and his value as an individual.